Pierre McGuire believes Fowler is two seasons away from Habs crease

Goaltending has been the key to the Montreal Canadiens success for much of the organizations existence.

Jacques Plante, Ken Dryden and Patrick Roy are just a few names that dazzled and tore up the league during their tenures. Yes, the lineups were very strong will stout defenders, fantastic centre depth and brilliant scoring wingers. But the backbone of those lineups was the excellent goaltending, that at times set the Habs apart from many of their opponents.

Carey Price was the modern-era guy who stood on his head and did much of the same as his predecessor's, although his run support wasn't quite the same. If Price had had the support those before him had, then the Habs' 24 Stanley Cups might have increased by a few. Regardless of that, however, the club is on new horizons. The goalie position isn't quite as rock solid as it was during Price's tenure, with Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau sharing the crease duties.

How close is Jacob Fowler to the NHL?

it's not that Montembeault and Primeau don't have potential or deserve an opportunity to run with the starting reigns in Montreal to their contention window. But the club drafted a high-character goaltender, who has won at every level he's played, despite facing adversity. Jacob Fowler is a guy who oozes confidence and has this chip on his shoulder that has him run hot, but he has such high maturity that he remains even-keeled.

Getting drafted by any Original Six team is a high distinction, but if you sit in for a preseason game at the Bell Centre, you know you are in a very special venue. It isn't just another game, the arena shakes from the passionate chants, cheers and olé olé olé's. The Canadiens barn has so much history, which makes the expectations so high, but Fowler isn't phased by it but relishes the opportunity to shoulder the pressure.

It would have been easy for Fowler to talk the talk, then go into his freshman NCAA season with the Boston College Eagles and falter to the pressure. But instead, he went into the season and emerged as college hockey's best goalie. Moreover, Fowler backstopped his squad to the Hockey East championship, along with an array of other distinction's.

These accomplishment were highly appreciated by Canadiens management undoubtedly, but they caught the attention of many hockey analyst's also. Pierre McGuire, is one of them and he specifically believes that Fowler is about two seasons away from making some real noise at Habs training camp. McGuire expressed his belief during a segment of The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinario, that Fowler would be best suited with a full year of AHL seasoning after his sophomore year with the Eagles.

The excitement around Fowler is nearly the highest of any prospect not named Lane Hutson, Joshua Roy and Ivan Demidov. Goalies are the toughest to scout and project, but this guy seems to have the 'it' factor. If all goes well, Fowler could be ready just when the Canadiens are ready to take flight.